Purpose -This paper seeks to understand how users know when to stop searching for more information when the information space is so saturated that there is no certainty that the relevant information has been identified. Design/methodology/approach -Faculty, undergraduate and graduate students participated in focus group interviews to investigate what leads them to satisfice their information needs. Findings -Academic library users describe both qualitative and quantitative criteria, which lead them to make rational choices determining when "enough" information satisfices their need. The situational context of both the participants' specific information need and their role in academic society affects every stage of their search -from the selection of the first resource, to ongoing search strategies, to decisions on how much information is enough. Originality/value -These findings broaden the scope of earlier user research, which tends to focus on the more static views of habitual information-seeking and -searching behavior, by applying theoretical frameworks for a richer understanding of the users' experiences. IntroductionThe current information environment is rich, characterized by a proliferation of information sources and providers, a multiplicity of methods for accessing information, and a redundancy of content from multiple sources. In this "overloaded" information environment, many information users tend to experience a sense of information inadequacy and anxiety. How do individuals navigate this complex landscape of information? Furthermore, how do individuals assess the information they find as being enough to satisfy their specific need? In this complex information environment, understanding how individuals choose to satisfy their information needs takes on new urgency. Insight into information seeking can be gained by understanding how users seek information sources and how they choose content to meet their needs. Yet the library and information science literature has neglected to study how individuals decide what and how much information is enough to meet their needs or goals.Research on information-seeking and -searching behavior has paid ample attention to sources of information sources used. The process of seeking and searching for information also has received considerable attention from researchers, resulting in
This qualitative research study examines librarians' research data management (RDM) experiences, specifically the factors that influence their ability to support researchers' needs. Findings from interviews with 36 academic library professionals in the United States identify 5 factors of influence: 1) technical resources; 2) human resources; 3) researchers' perceptions about the library; 4) leadership support; and 5) communication, coordination, and collaboration. Findings show different aspects of these factors facilitate or constrain RDM activity. The implications of these factors on librarians' continued work in RDM are considered. IntroductionMany contend librarians are well suited to support RDM needs on their campuses. Luce urges librarians to take advantage of their core strengths to provide outreach and engagement early in the research lifecycle, establish common ground among key stakeholder groups, and lead the development of metadata standards.1 Gabridge describes how librarians can act as intermediaries between researchers and data repositories.2 Walters and Skinner outline roles for librarians that would strengthen the infrastructure, content, and services required for digital curation and preservation.
The authors analyzed the holdings, circulations, and interlibrary loan (ILL) borrowing requests of the English-language monograph collection at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Data for each area were mapped to conspectus subject areas, using Library of Congress Classifications, and then compared. The resulting data and subject distributions were analyzed by overall holdings, transactions per item, percentage of collection circulated, and a ratio of ILL holdings to requests. The method of analysis used in this study could be fruitfully applied to other research collections to assist with remote storage, preservation, and collection development decisions.n the current economic environment, it is critical for librarians to practice evidence-based decision making. With decreasing library budgets, especially for monographic materials, it also is essential for librarians to assess and manage collections to determine subject areas for acquisition, de-accession, digitization, preservation, and remote storage. One empirical collection assessment method is to examine usage statistics, such as circulation and interlibrary loan (ILL) data. Many librarians employ usage data as an indicator of the library's materials' relevance to user populations.Sonia Bodi and Katie Maier-O'Shea believe that librarians' knowledge of collections is often intuitive and urge librarians to make data-supported collection decisions. They suggest that collection development focus on learning outcomes of library users rather than on strictly comprehensive collections or even curriculum support.1 This approach is impossible without solid data from various perspectives.
Research reveals that users of virtual reference services (VRS) value accurate answers to their queries and a pleasant interpersonal encounter.
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